Twelfth festivities must now be put on the back-burner

As we approach the Twelfth which normally has been the focal point of the marching season, there is a timely plea from the DUP councillor Dale Pankhurst about social distancing.

He has urged loyalists across Northern Ireland to cancel any planned bonfires, large paradesandothersocialgatherings to keep the coronavirus in control and to avoid any buildup to a possible second wave of thedeadlydisease.

Some months ago the Orange Order leaders announced that they would not sanction the usual large parade of lodges throughout the province in therun-uptothetwelfthor shortly afterwards, while the whole question of bonfires was left to the local groups who organise these annual, and controversial, events.

There was no clear direction from these organisers aboutwhethertheywere planning large-scale bonfires, or not, and during most of the lockdown these were not mentioned.

However, as the lockdown eases there has been a spate of requests from bands, and other groups, to the Parades Commission seeking permission to march.

The detailed position is not totally clear even yet, but the DUP councillor Dale Pankhurst has brought common sense and wisdom to the situation by asking everyone to forego the usual celebrations at this time of year for the sake of public safety.

He has also warned loyalists thatiftheydisobeythesocial distancing rules in the same way that Sinn Fein and their followers demonstrated at the funeralofbobbystoreylast week, they will meet the same severe criticism and outrage felt by the vast majority of members of the general public from all backgrounds who have obeyed the severe lockdown rules during the past three months.

Mr Pankhurst, who was unabletohughisparents or his grandfather when his grandmother died six weeks ago, or enter the crematorium, has warned loyalists that they should not measure their actions by the standards of others.

The deputy First Leader Michelle O’neill still has to make a proper apology for showing a lack of leadership, at a time when the First Minister Arlene Fosterbycontrastdidjustthat by pointing out to anyone contemplating large celebrations around the Twelfth that “two wrongs do not make a right”.

She repeated that message last night and emphasised this is not a loyalist or republican issue. It’s a matter of public health.

The PSNI, while have a difficult job in trying to police the regulations combating the coronavirus, have pointed out that we are still in the middle of the pandemic and have appealed to everyone to abide by the health protection measures.

Councillor Pankhurst’s warning has been particularly timely during the weekend which marks the 72nd anniversary of the formation of the NHS.

This was marked by people across the country yesterday who clapped workers, care home staff and others who have been praised deservedly by their heroic effects in saving lives and protecting the vulnerable.

However, there have been worrying signs recently on both sides of the Irish Sea of people not obeying social distancing, and already the city of Leicester is being locked down because of a spike in coronavirus infections.

It would be a tragedy if bigger crowds on the streets endangered lives. The major issues of health and public safety are still paramount.